Thought I’d update my progress with a side project, controlling a Pan, Tilt and Zoom (PTZ) dome camera using a Mini Maestro 24.
The Maestro is looking at 5 different pots on an old X-Box joystick and some buttons then converts this to a speed and direction value to be sent directly to the camera. The data is sent from the serial output of the Maestro after it is first converted to the Pelco-D protocol that the camera understands. The Maestro has no problems controlling the Pan, Tilt and Zoom of the camera simultaneously (Updating the camera around 5 times a second with commands). Also while displaying text on an LCD Display.
The camera requires an RS485 input, whereas the Maestro has an RS232 output. The difference between them as I believe it is that RS485 has an inverting output to counteract capacitance and interference over greater distances; therefor I had to convert RS232 to RS485. I could have used a MAX485 chip to do this, but I opted for two TTL logic inverters, one to invert the RS232 and the other on it’s output to re-invert so I had an RS485 buffered output (I did not want to drive the camera directly from the Maestros serial out).
Also there are two video outputs from the LCD box that switches over the video output to another Tv while the camera is set up during initial start-up. The camera setup and switching are both done by the Maestro, so it’s a bit busy from start to finish. The relay is controlled by a logic level from the Maestro via a Darlington pair chip.
I had to mount the Maestro in the joystick for direct connection.
The LED’s on the joystick are also connected to give an indication of program status at the joystick (and for fun ).
Ah yeah, the camera is upside down as I wanted to show it working on the table, it normally sits on a mast.
These videos are just in their raw form, so there is no audio; I did create these in ~March 2014 so not up to my usual YouTube standard. I will have to edit them and include more detail.
I am wanting to build a Pan Tilt Assembly to hold a Camera and for it to perform in Auto Mode and then be deselected and used by a joystick in Manual Mode.
Auto Mode
Pan left and right automatically
Extend or reduce pan left and right in the auto mode
(I was thinking by keypad buttons to a script, rotary encoder or rotary or slide potentiometers, which ever is use friendly)
Increase or decrease speed again by pre program buttons, rotary encoder or rotary or slide potentiometers
Minor manual tilt adjustment, a trim or + – button. Prefer not to use Joystick, see below.
Manual Mode
Joystick control - a joystick signal that could then stop the micro controller being in auto mode, or power off via a manual press button switch and then manually control from the joystick, even if it was a separate system that was configured in, “In parallel”
Any assistance, code, thoughts on what to use (Servo or stepper motor and possibly gearbox) would be appreciated.